Alumnus Michael Roman Appointed CEO of 3M

Alumnus Michael Roman has been selected to be the next CEO of Minnesota-based multinational 3M. He will replace Inge Thulin starting July 1. Thulin will move into the newly created position of executive chairman of the company’s board, and continue working closely with Roman on 3M’s long term strategy.

At 58, Roman has worked with the company for 30 years, serving most recently as chief operating officer and executive vice-president since July 1, 2017.

Roman earned his B.E.E. degree in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Minnesota in 1982, and his master’s degree in 1987 from the University of Southern California. Over the years, Roman has taken on roles of successively greater technical and managerial leadership. He has held positions such as Technical Manager, Project Manager of Intelligent Transportation Systems, and Six Sigma Director of Safety, Security and Protection Services Business Center.

In more recent years, his roles have included managing director of 3M Korea, vice- president of business development – Optical Systems Division, Asia, and vice-president and general manager of Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division. In his latest role before being appointed COO, Roman served as executive vice- president of Industrial Business Group, 3M’s largest business group.

As chief operating officer, he has been overseeing the company’s international operations as well as its five business groups (consumer, electronics and energy, health care, industrial, and safety and graphics).

A thorough midwesterner, Roman has continued his ties with his alma mater. He serves on the University of Minnesota Foundation’s Board of Trustees as Treasurer. The members of the board are “responsible for providing governance, advocacy, and philanthropic support to advance the mission of the Foundation.”

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